Thanks for thinking of me.

I've been spending a lot less time online and my interests have changed over the past couple of years.

I haven't picked up a gun in years and I pick up a guitar almost daily. I'm just not as much of a gun guy as I was before.

Also, last year both my mom and and mom-in-law started swapping visits in the hospital. Mom would get hospitalized, get sent to a nursing home for rehab, go back to her apartment and then repeat and when she was home, mom-in-law would start her time in the cycle. It was hard enough balancing work with hospital visits and elderly care stints that there wasn't much time for much else. It was not only tiring, it was consuming.

Mom had developed two conditions and treating one would exacerbate the other. So, she decided to stop all medical intervention and entered hospice care. She checked into a nursing home to help manage the pain and discomfort. December 15, 2025 mom passed away and we handled all the final arrangements and set her in her final resting place in two days. She had prepared everything in advance and that was a fantastic blessing.

We thought we'd get some rest but then mom-in-law ramped up with the medical issues and she basically confused her physicians. They had no idea how she could possibly still be alive and also couldn't point to a specific cause for her issues. She eventually had a stroke and lost the use of her right side and, as were her wishes, she wanted to go home and die with her cat beside her. She passed on August 5, 2026 after being unconscious for 9 days. She had donated her body to medical science and they came at around 1:30 am to pick her up. We still have a few bills to close out but have to wait for the death certificate for some paperwork first. However, everything is handled except for the wife's siblings wanting stuff. *sigh* the body wasn't even cold before "did she have life insurance?", "can I have my stuff back?", "how much is in her account?" The amount of hoarding garbage that we threw out was impressive. The salvageable stuff went to Goodwill, the 20 some industrial garbage bags went to her apartment's dumpster. If the siblings want to, they can dive right in.

For the past two days, it felt like something was missing. Why do we have time? I don't even know where to start in getting all the things done that have been put off for so long.

I'll check in again. Talk soon.

To quote John Lennon, “Life is what happens while you’re making other plans.” Sorry for your troubles and getting to deal with family things, another expression I use often is you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family. Nice to see you back, hang in there.

God bless Mark.

Hang in there. We are going through this with my father in-law. Lots of hard work to clean out the property, get all the legal matters in line, and deal with siblings who have their own agendas. Good to hear from you and know your friends here wish you well.

Mark, good to hear from you, don't be a stranger, sorry to hear about your Mom and Mother in Law, it's amazing though how humans know its time to go home.

IIRC you were in the lawncare business, are you still doing that?

The post death property and financial struggle in families is quite common across the world.

Don't be a stranger, Mark.

Glad you are ok Mark

Sorry life is beating you up currently, stop by more often

I absolutely noticed your absence and wondered how you and Marky were doing.

Good to see you checking in.

Take care of yourself, Mark. This too shall pass.

Mark, I'm sorry for all you've been through and my condolences on your heavy losses.

I hope you keep an eye on your own health and that of your wife and Mark.

I'm glad you checked in.

Sorry to hear that but hopefully things are turning around now.
Been through a half strength version (1 relative) of your hospital-rehab-home-repeat recently so I understand that part.

Mark, prayers sent for peace to help you through this difficult period...

who are you?

new member?

Been there, done that, these last few years. Consuming is a good descriptor. Good to see Abe back on the sidebar!

Being the responsible adult is a heavy load sometimes. Just when you think your life is getting to the easy part, with career firmly established and kids becoming adults, the parents' generation start needing help.

The systems in society certainly don't make it any easier. Nor do other family members.

In the end, though, you can look yourselves in the mirror knowing you were the ones who did the hard but right thing.

Sorry for your troubles, but happy and relieved that you are still with us. I've been losing friends at a stupid rate, including one this morning.

Tough year, sorry my friend.

Good to hear from you Mark, but sorry to hear about your mom/MIL. Prayers up for you and yours.